Mercedes-Benz today announced the arrival of the all new E-Class. This tenth generation executive saloon is packed with a wealth of technical innovations, stylish highlights, emotive design and high-grade materials. The automaker has claimed that the all new E-Class is 'the most intelligent executive saloon' in the market. This is backed up by a slew world's first innovations found in the car including the Active Lane Change Assist, a feature the will form part of the all new E-Class Driving Assistance package.
Alongside Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Lane Keeping Assist, DRIVE PILOT will help to navigate the dangers of lane changes, with one-side brake application to keep the vehicle on the right course, which is applied automatically when intervention is necessary. Another world's first is the PRE-SAFE Impulse Side system which is part of the Driving Assistance package PLUS.
If a lateral collision has been detected and is imminent, the PRE-SAFE Impulse Side system inflates an air chamber in the side bolster of the front seat backrest nearest the side of the imminent impact in a fraction of a second, thus increasing the distance between you and the door.
The all new E-Class also features the world first touch-sensitive wheel spokes. Like a smartphone interface, they respond precisely to horizontal and vertical swiping movements, allowing the driver to control the entire infotainment system using finger swipes without having to take their hands off the steering wheel.
The interior of the all new E-Class features optional extras including two next generation high resolution displays, each with a 12.3-inch diagonal wide screen, another first in its segment. As the instrument cluster, this wide-screen cockpit contains a large display with virtual instruments in the direct field of vision of the driver. Completely digital, the driver can choose from three different styles to select their preferred look: 'Classic', 'Sport' and 'Progressive'.
The rear bench seat of the all new E-Class comes with the option of a three-piece backrest with a 40:20:40 split, making it exceptionally versatile. Versatility aside, high-quality materials define the interior. These include open-pore woods, optionally leather-covered doors, new colour combinations such as nut brown, macchiato and saddle brown. To tie everything up is the 64 LED ambient lighting that adds touches of colour to areas like the trim parts, central display, front stowage, handle recesses, door pockets, front and rear footwells and overhead console.
The exterior design of the new E-Class is characterised by short overhangs, a long wheelbase, large wheels and well-defined flanks displaying a fresh take on the feature line. The base version features the classic Mercedes radiator grille with the star on the bonnet, as does the Exclusive line. The Avantgarde and AMG Line models are identifiable by the sports radiator grille with a large Mercedes star as its centrepiece.
The all new E-Class will be powered by a range of four-cylinder petrol engines with outputs ranging from 181bhp to 242bhp. The E200 variant which was released today, has a max torque of 300Nm, and can go from 0 to 100km/h in 7.7 seconds. It emits 142-149g/km of C02, while delivering up to 15.2-15.8km/L. There is also a diesel-powered version of the E-Class, but Cycle & Carriage has yet to release details about whether it will reach our shores.
Price as of press time (inclusive of COE)
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon E200 Avantgarde (A) - $264,888
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon E200 Exclusive (A) - $272,888
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon E200 AMG Line (A) - $282,888
